Silver Waterfall
A tall, silvery waterfall tumbling down the mountainside beside the road to O Quy Ho Pass, about 12 km from Sapa.
- Sapa
- Included in 4 tours
- Tours from $50
- Updated October 2026
About Silver Waterfall Sapa
Silver Waterfall Sapa, called Thac Bac in Vietnamese, pours down the forested side of the Hoang Lien Son range right beside National Road 4D, about 12–13 km west of Sapa on the way to O Quy Ho Pass. From the road you see white water falling in long silver ribbons from high above — in total the cascades drop something like 200 metres over several tiers.
Its name comes from the way the water shines like silver threads against the dark rock and green forest. The falls are fed by streams from the high slopes near Fansipan, so the flow changes a lot with the seasons: thundering and wide in the rainy months, thinner but still lovely in the dry season.
The loop walk and the steps
A short loop path of roughly 800 metres climbs one side of the falls on stone steps, crosses a footbridge at the top in the spray, and comes down the other side. It is steep in places and wet underfoot, but there are rails and resting points, and most people do it in 30–45 minutes. Local women sell handicrafts and snacks along the way.
Silver Waterfall, Love Waterfall and O Quy Ho
Silver Waterfall is usually visited with the other sights on the same road. A few kilometres further up is Tram Ton, the top of O Quy Ho Pass and the start of the forest trail to Love Waterfall. Beyond the summit, on the Lai Chau side, is Rong May Glass Bridge.
On our O Quy Ho Pass Jeep tour, the Sapa motorbike tour with female riders and both full-day Sapa tours, Silver Waterfall is the first stop on the way up the pass, and the entrance ticket is included.
Is Silver Waterfall worth a stop?
It is an easy, worthwhile roadside stop on the way to O Quy Ho Pass, about 12–13 km west of Sapa. The water falls in long silver ribbons some 200 m down the forested mountainside, and a short loop of stone steps (about 800 m, 30–45 minutes) climbs one side, crosses a footbridge in the spray and comes down the other. The flow is biggest in the rainy months of June to September. It combines naturally with the Love Waterfall trail, the O Quy Ho summit and Rong May Glass Bridge on the same road.
Worth it?
Why visit Silver Waterfall?
- A tall roadside waterfallCascades of around 200 metres in total, visible right from the road.
- An easy loop walkStone steps up one side, a bridge in the spray and down the other.
- Mountain sceneryViews back over the valley towards Sapa and the Hoang Lien Son range.
- Cheap and quickA small ticket and under an hour — the perfect first stop on the pass.
- On the way to O Quy HoEasily combined with Tram Ton, Love Waterfall and Rong May Glass Bridge.
Make the most of it
8 best things to do in Silver Waterfall
Walk the loop
About 800 metres of steps and paths up to the footbridge and back. Allow 30–45 minutes; take it slowly when wet.
Stand on the top bridge
Feel the spray and look straight down the cascades.
Photograph the falls from the road
The full height is easiest to see from the car park area and the road just below.
Snack on grilled corn and eggs
Stalls at the foot of the falls sell grilled corn, eggs and sweet potatoes.
Browse local crafts
Hmong and Dao women sell embroidery and small souvenirs along the path.
Hike to Love Waterfall
From Tram Ton, a few kilometres up the road, a forest trail of about 1.5 km leads to Love Waterfall and the Golden Stream. Separate ticket; allow 1.5–2 hours there and back.
Continue up O Quy Ho Pass
Drive on to the summit, the Lonely Tree viewpoint and Rong May Glass Bridge.
Visit with us
Our O Quy Ho Jeep and female-rider motorbike tours stop here first; the waterfall ticket is included.
Good to know
Compare: Silver Waterfall or Love Waterfall?
| Where | Silver: beside the road, about 12–13 km from Sapa. Love: in the forest from Tram Ton, about 15 km from Sapa |
|---|---|
| Walking | Silver: an 800 m loop of steps. Love: about 1.5 km each way on a forest trail |
| Time needed | Silver: 30–60 minutes. Love: 1.5–2 hours |
| Ticket | Silver: about 20,000 VND. Love: about 70,000–100,000 VND |
| Best for | Silver: a quick stop on the pass. Love: a short nature walk in Hoang Lien National Park |
Our O Quy Ho and full-day tours stop at Silver Waterfall. Love Waterfall is not part of the standard route.
Timing
Best time to visit Silver Waterfall
The most water and the most dramatic falls; steps are slippery.
Less water but clearer skies and easier walking.
Cold and often misty; on rare cold snaps there can be frost or ice nearby.
Fewer visitors and better light on the falls.
Map & directions
How to get to Silver Waterfall
- By jeep or motorbike tourOur O Quy Ho tours stop here first, about 25–30 minutes from Sapa Stone Church.
- By taxi or GrabAbout 20–30 minutes from Sapa. Combine with Tram Ton and the glass bridge to make the trip worthwhile.
- By motorbikeOn National Road 4D towards Lai Chau; the road is good but steep and winding, with fog and buses.
Eat like a local
Where to eat near Silver Waterfall
- Grilled corn and eggsSold at stalls by the car park.
- Sweet potatoes and chestnutsRoasted on charcoal in the cool months.
- Hot drinksSmall kiosks sell tea and coffee at the foot of the falls.
- Lunch in SapaThere are few restaurants on the pass; our full-day tours include a local lunch.
For your camera
Best photo spots at Silver Waterfall
- From the road belowThe whole height of the falls.
- The top footbridgeLooking down the cascades into the valley.
- Pavilions on the loopFramed views of the falls and mountains.
Local advice
Tips for visiting Silver Waterfall
Do
- Wear shoes with grip — steps are wet and slippery
- Hold the handrails on the steeper sections
- Bring a light rain jacket for the spray
- Carry small notes for tickets and snacks
- Combine it with O Quy Ho Pass on the same trip
Don’t
- Climb on the rocks near the water
- Rush the steps in the rain
- Leave rubbish at the falls
- Expect much water in the dry season
Visit with a local
Tours that visit Silver Waterfall
Sapa · Jeep
Sapa Jeep Tour: O Quy Ho Pass, Silver Waterfall & Rong May Glass Bridge
From $63
$50
per adult
Sapa · Jeep
Sapa Full-Day Jeep Tour: Villages, O Quy Ho Pass & Glass Bridge
From $125
$100
per adult
Sapa · Female Riders
Sapa Motorbike Tour with Female Riders: O Quy Ho Pass & Glass Bridge
From $63
$50
per adult
Good to know
Silver Waterfall: questions & answers
Where is Silver Waterfall Sapa?
Beside National Road 4D, about 12–13 km west of Sapa town on the way to O Quy Ho Pass.
How much is the Silver Waterfall ticket?
About 20,000 VND per person. It is included on our O Quy Ho and full-day Sapa tours.
How many steps are there at Silver Waterfall?
There is no official count, but the loop is about 800 metres with many stone steps. Most people take 30–45 minutes.
When is the best time to see Silver Waterfall Sapa?
June to September, when the rainy season brings the most water. It is pretty all year, with less flow in the dry months.
Is Silver Waterfall the same as Love Waterfall?
No. Silver Waterfall is right by the road; Love Waterfall is a forest walk of about 1.5 km from Tram Ton, a few kilometres further up.
How tall is Silver Waterfall?
The cascades drop roughly 200 metres in total over several tiers.
Which tours visit Silver Waterfall?
Our O Quy Ho Pass Jeep tour, the Sapa motorbike tour with female riders over O Quy Ho, and both full-day Sapa tours.
How long do you need at Silver Waterfall?
About 30 to 60 minutes. You can admire it from the road in a few minutes, or climb the roughly 800 m loop of stone steps – steep and wet in places but railed – in around 30 to 45 minutes. It is biggest and loudest in the rainy season, June to September.
What is near Silver Waterfall?
It sits on the same road (National Road 4D) as the other O Quy Ho sights: a few kilometres up is Tram Ton, the top of the pass and the trailhead for Love Waterfall, and just beyond the summit on the Lai Chau side is the Rong May Glass Bridge. Our O Quy Ho tours link them together.
Sapa
